Directeur Christian Narkiewicz-Laine van ‘The Chicago Athenaeum’: “From an impressive and visionary array of new submissions, the New York Jury selected 60 outstanding projects, each of which positively impacts its larger community — sometimes modestly, but most often massively.

“The finalists exhibit innovation in design, acute sensitivity to the environment, sustainability, adaptability to their surroundings, and provision of enjoyment to their many users. In one way or another, each finalist wowed the jury, which will make selection of the winners a real challenge.”